But 32-year-old Stirling – who had been having a secret affair with Samantha – knew all too well she would never be found alive. He had just buried her in a shallow grave after smothering and strangling her in her bedroom earlier that day.

Today, the father-of-one, of Cromer Road, Northwood, is starting a life sentence after admitting murder. He will serve at least 17 years and 52 days behind bars before he can be considered for parole.

Murderer Michael Stirling and murdered Samantha Eastwood

Stafford Crown Court heard how the pair had met after Samantha started going out with Stirling’s brother-in-law, John Peake.

She had been due to marry John in summer this year. But the relationship broke down in January and the wedding dress bought for her big day was still stored at home.

It’s not clear when the close friendship between Samantha and Stirling grew into an affair. But in the days leading up to the killing, his double life was starting to fall apart.

He had begun ‘hounding’ 28-year-old Samantha with texts and phone calls. It culminated in the horrific events of July 27.

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Michael Stirling jailed for life for the killing of Samantha Eastwood

Prosecutor Jonas Hankin QC said the midwife had just finished a night shift and had driven back to her home in Greenside Avenue, Baddeley Green. Workmates described her as ‘her normal self’ and say she had been ‘in good spirits’.

By the time she got there, Stirling had already visited the house. He had called round to pick up some tools from the garage that he needed for his work as a landscape gardener. It was to be the first of several trips to the address that day.

A CCTV camera from a house across the road captured him returning at around 12.45pm. At 5.02pm, the same camera snapped him leaving the property.

In the intervening hours, Stirling claimed he had become embroiled in an argument with Samantha over their relationship.

Michael Stirling repeatedly replied no comment in his interview

They were standing in the bedroom – Samantha dressed in pyjamas ready to catch some sleep before her next shift – when Stirling pushed her. She fell and hit her head on the bedside table.

Charles Miskin QC, mitigating, said: “He put his left hand over her throat. He was trying to scare her to stop her saying what she was saying.”

Stirling alleged Samantha had been lying on the floor laughing at this point.

But a neighbour heard chilling screams that lasted for around 20 seconds. They were followed by the words ‘get off me’.

Stirling then covered her nose and mouth to suffocate her.

Mr Miskin said: “He lost all his self-control. And in a fog of anger – as a result of that – she died.”

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That was when the elaborate operation to cover his tracks kicked in. Stirling carried Samantha’s body downstairs and lay her on the kitchen floor. He taped up her eyes, nose and mouth – a move he said was to ‘protect’ her face when he buried her. But the prosecution alleged the tape could have been applied while she was still alive.

He wrapped her in a blue and white checked sheet and bundled the body into the back of his van.

Samantha Eastwood's body was left in the back of Michael Stirling's van

Before driving off, Stirling messaged his wife, who remembered him sounding ‘fine and cheerful’. He said he would meet her at his parents’ house in Bucknall for a meal that evening.

As the family ate the meal, they had no idea that Samantha was lying dead in the van parked on the driveway.

Sunday, August 5

11pm: Michael Stirling, aged 32, of Cromer Road, Northwood, is charged with murder. Two other men - aged 28 and 60 - who were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender are released pending further inquiries.

Monday, August 6

10am: Stirling appears at North Staffordshire Justice Centre.He wore a grey jumper and was in handcuffs. He was remanded in custody as the case was sent to Stafford Crown Court.

The sister and ex-partner of Samantha returned to her house to lay a floral tribute. Gemma Eastwood and John Peake were accompanied by police liaison officers in unmarked cars at around 4.40pm.

Friday, August 10

Family, friends, colleagues and well-wishers across the world were encouraged to pause and remember Samantha at 7.20pm.

Friday, August 31

Two men arrested as part of an investigation into Samantha's death are released without charge.

The pair were questioned by detectives after being arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Friday, October 5

Stirling appeared at a hearing at Northampton Crown Court. His barrister Charles Miskin QC applied for the hearing to be adjourned for 14 days because the papers were only served earlier that week and the defendant has not had the chance to see them. The case was adjourned until October 22.

Monday, October 22

Stirling's barrister Charles Miskin QC told the court: “The context is a background of growing tension from a long-standing but not particularly intense affair."Sentence was adjourned until December 3.

Monday, December 3

Murderer Michael Stirling is jailed for life with a minimum term of 17 years for the brutal killing of Samantha Eastwood.

The defendant used his bare hands to kill Samantha Eastwood at her Baddeley Green home after 'losing all his self-control in a fog of anger' when a row erupted.